Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 3

  Emotion and Meaning in the Musical Experience-part 3

            What triggers an emotion when one listens to a musical composition or performs a piece of music has been a topic of much concern for centuries.  Some believe that an emotional state is “aroused” by the formal properties of the music.  Others believe that this arousal is caused by the association that the music performance triggers when the auditor experiences the sounds of melodies, harmonies, tone colors and rhythms.  Also, the visual experience involved with the performance; former experience with the genre; as well as a performer’s persona may be combined with a host of other things that could be mentioned here to give assistance to the formal properties in the arousal of emotions.

             I contend that the arrangement of the formal properties of the music is one of the most significant triggers of emotional states.  However, what the auditor or performer brings to the musicing experience will cause referential association that will also trigger or arouse emotions.  I also believe that how the listener perceives the sounds because of community will have a significant effect on the listener.